Method and system for approximating graphic equalizers using dynamic filter order reduction

ABSTRACT

Improved approaches to flexibly implementing graphic equalizers on media players are disclosed. These approaches provide dynamic order reduction of a multi-band graphic equalizer so that equalizer effects can be timely performed with only limited computational resources. In one embodiment, a media player receives a media item and associated equalizer settings for a multi-band graphic equalizer. The media player can then automatically (i.e., without user action) approximate the multi-band graphic equalizer with the equalizer settings for the media item using a fewer number of filters. Fewer filters means order reduction, and thus reduction in computational requirements. After the multi-band graphic equalizer is approximated, the media player can present the media item to its user in accordance with the reduced complexity, approximated equalizer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation of and claims priority under 35U.S.C. §120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/799,526 filed Mar.11, 2004 and entitled “METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR APPROXIMATING GRAPHICEQUALIZERS USING DYNAMIC FILTER ORDER REDUCTION,” which is herebyincorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to media devices and, more particularly,to equalizer effects for media being presented on media devices.

2. Description of the Related Art

Media players, such as digital media players, are specialized portablecomputing devices that store and present (e.g., play, display) digitalmedia (e.g., music, videos, or images). Often media players are smallhand-held devices with limited media storage capacity and limited mediamanagement capability. As a result, media players typically associatewith a host computer. The host computer can utilize an applicationresident on the host computer to perform media management for the hostcomputer and the media player, such management including transfer of themedia items and their attributes between the host computer and the mediaplayer. One such application is iTunes™, produced by and available fromApple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. An example of a popular media player isan iPod™ which is also produced by and available from Apple Inc.

iTunes can display a graphic equalizer for a user of the host computer.With iTunes, users can specify a set of equalizer settings by selectingone of a list of equalizer presets. Equalizer presets are equalizersettings for various frequency bands that are predetermined andavailable for selection by users. In addition, users can manually changethe settings of a graphic equalizer to achieve a desired (e.g., custom)frequency response for particular media items. To a limited extent,equalizer settings for media items can be transferred from iTunes to themedia player. Media players typically have limited computationalresources and a small form factor. Consequently, there are difficultieswith implementing a graphic equalizer on a media player. One priorsolution involves manual conversion of predetermined equalizer settingsfor the equalizer presets to a simplified filter structure. Such amanual conversion can reduce computational requirements needed toimplement the equalizer adjustments on the media player. Unfortunately,however, this prior solution based on manual conversion is timeconsuming and only effective when the equalizer settings are known andremain fixed. Since the equalizer settings must be fixed, the priorsolution also does not support user manipulation of equalizer settings.Other prior solutions involve complex optimization algorithms and/orcurve fitting of finite impulse response (FIR) filters. However, theseapproaches are computationally intensive and not guaranteed to findacceptable solutions, and the resulting filter is usually two or moreorders of magnitude more computationally expensive than the originalgraphic equalizer.

Thus, there is a need for improved approaches to flexibly implementgraphic equalizers on media players with limited computationalresources.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Broadly speaking, the invention relates to improved approaches toflexibly implement graphic equalizers on media players. Media playersare computing devices that are capable of storing and presenting (e.g.,play, display) digital media (e.g., music, videos, or images). Mediaplayers typically have limited computational resources and are oftenportable or small in scale (e.g., hand-held). According to one aspect ofthe invention, dynamic order reduction of a multi-band graphic equalizercan be timely performed using only limited computational resources.

In one embodiment, a media player receives a media item and associatedequalizer settings for a multi-band graphic equalizer. In oneimplementation, equalizer settings (which are one type of qualitysetting) can be established for the media items on a media item by mediaitem basis. The media player can then automatically (i.e., without useraction) approximate the multi-band graphic equalizer with the equalizersettings for the media item using a fewer number of filters. Fewerfilters means order reduction, and thus reduction in computationalrequirements. After the multi-band graphic equalizer is approximated,the media player can present the media item to its user in accordancewith the reduced complexity, approximated equalizer.

Graphic equalizers are used to shape audio frequency responses to auser's preference. The equalizer settings of a multi-band graphicequalizer can be provided to the media player from a host computer. Insuch case, each media item can have their own equalizer settings.Alternatively, each user can have their own equalizer settings. As anexample, the host computer can transfer not only media items but alsoassociated equalizer settings to a media player during a synchronizationoperation. In another embodiment, equalizer settings can be manipulatedlocally by a user of the media player. Local manipulation of equalizersettings can provide real-time equalizer adjustment at the media player.

The invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as amethod, system, device, apparatus, or computer readable medium. Severalembodiments of the invention are discussed below.

As a computer-implemented method for approximating n-band graphicequalizer settings for a media player using not more than m bands wherem is less than n, one embodiment of the invention includes at least theacts of: classifying at least a plurality of the equalizer settingvalues with respect to characteristics of at least a portion of afrequency response shape of at least one of a plurality of predeterminedfilter types; and determining parameters for one or more filters of theat least one of the plurality of predetermined filter types used inclassifying the equalizer settings. Optionally, the embodiment mayfurther include the act of limiting the number of the one or morefilters in the classification to a maximum number of filters.

As a computer-implemented method for approximating n-band graphicequalizer settings for a media player using less than n filters, oneembodiment of the invention includes at least the acts of: examining theequalizer setting values for approximate correlation to at least aportion of a frequency response of a shelf type filter; selecting theshelf type filter if a first set of the equalizer setting valuesapproximately correlate; examining the equalizer setting values otherthan the first set for approximate correlation to at least a portion ofa frequency response of a parametric type filter; selecting theparametric type filter if a second set of the equalizer settingsapproximately correlate; and determining parameters for the shelf typefilter and the parametric type filter, wherein at least the shelf typefilter and the parametric type filter are used to approximate the n-bandgraphic equalizer settings for the media player.

As a computer readable medium including at least computer program codefor approximating n-band graphic equalizer settings for a computingdevice player using less than n bands, one embodiment of the inventionincludes at least: computer program code for classifying at least aplurality of the equalizer setting values with respect tocharacteristics of at least a portion of a frequency response shape ofat least one of a plurality of predetermined filter types; and computerprogram code for determining parameters for one or more filters of theat least one of the plurality of predetermined filter types used inclassifying the equalizer settings.

As a system for approximating an n-band graphic equalizer for use on adevice having limited computational resources or computational time, oneembodiment of the invention includes at least: means for classifying atleast a plurality of equalizer setting values of the n-band graphicequalizer with respect to characteristics of at least a portion of afrequency response shape of at least one of a plurality of predeterminedfilter types; and means for determining parameters for one or morefilters of the at least one of the plurality of predetermined filtertypes used in classifying the equalizer settings.

As a media device, one embodiment of the invention includes at least: adata store for storing media data received from a host computer, themedia data include media content and equalizer setting information forat least one media item; and a processor operatively connected to thedata store, the processor operates to acquire equalizer setting valuesbased on the equalizer setting information, to approximate the equalizersetting values with a reduced filter order approximation, and to presentthe media content at the media player in accordance with the reducedfilter order approximation.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, theprinciples of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be readily understood by the following detaileddescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein likereference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of an equalizer characterization processaccording to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a filter selection process according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3A is a flow diagram of an equalizer characterization processaccording to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3B is a flow diagram of an alternative flow diagram for a portionof the equalizer characterization process illustrated in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a filter order reduction state machineaccording to one embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 5-7 are exemplary plots of frequency responses for differentequalizer settings.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a media management system according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of media download processing according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of media play processing according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a media player according to one embodimentof the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to improved approaches to flexibly implementgraphic equalizers on media players. Media players are computing devicesthat are capable of storing and presenting (e.g., play, display) digitalmedia (e.g., music, videos, or images). Media players typically havelimited computational resources and are often portable or small in scale(e.g., hand-held). According to one aspect on the invention, dynamicorder reduction of a multi-band graphic equalizer can be timelyperformed on media players with only limited computational resources.

In one embodiment, a media player receives a media item and associatedequalizer settings for a multi-band graphic equalizer. In oneimplementation, equalizer settings (which are one type of qualitysetting) can be established for the media items on a media item by mediaitem basis. The media player can then automatically (i.e., without useraction) approximate the multi-band graphic equalizer with the equalizersettings for the media item using a fewer number of filters. Fewerfilters means order reduction, and thus reduction in computationalrequirements. After the multi-band graphic equalizer is approximated,the media player can present the media item to its user in accordancewith the reduced complexity, approximated equalizer.

Graphic equalizers are used to shape audio frequency responses to auser's preference. The equalizer settings of a multi-band graphicequalizer can be provided to the media player from a host computer. Insuch case, each media item can have their own equalizer settings.Alternatively, each user can have their own equalizer settings. As anexample, the host computer can transfer not only media items but alsoassociated equalizer settings to a media player during a synchronizationoperation. In another embodiment, equalizer settings can be manipulatedlocally by a user of the media player. Local manipulation of equalizersettings can provide real-time equalizer adjustment at the media player.

Embodiments of these aspects of the invention are discussed below withreference to FIGS. 1-11. However, those skilled in the art will readilyappreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect tothese figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extendsbeyond these limited embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of an equalizer characterization process 100according to one embodiment of the invention. The equalizercharacterization process 100 is designed to be performed on a portablecomputing device having limited resources, such as limited computationcapability and/or processing power. For example, the equalizercharacterization process 100 is suitable for use on a hand-held mediaplayer attempting to approximate a graphic equalizer that has been usedto alter the frequency response of a plurality of bands associated withmedia items that are capable of being presented at the media player.

The equalizer characterization process 100 initially receives graphicequalizer setting values. The graphical equalizer setting values are thelevels for each of a plurality of bands (frequency bands) associatedwith the graphic equalizer. Typically, a graphic equalizer might have 10bands and the amplitude settings for each of these bands can becontrolled by a user, a device, or by a software application or module.For example, the various bands of a graphic equalizer can eachcorrespond to particular frequencies. For example, one representative10-band graphic equalizer would have ten (10) bands centered around thefollowing frequencies: 32, 64, 125, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000, 8000 and16000 Hertz (Hz).

After the graphic equalizer setting values have been received 100, theequalizer characterization process 100 classifies 102 the graphicequalizer setting values with respect to characteristics of a frequencyresponse shape of one or more predetermined filter types. Here, thegraphic equalizer setting values are examined in an automatic fashion todetermine the extent to which they can be classified as similar to atleast a portion of a frequency response shape of one or more of thepredetermined filter types. The predetermined filter types have knownfrequency response shapes and these shapes can be compared with theshape of the composite frequency response represented by the graphicequalizer setting values. In one embodiment, the predetermined filtertypes correspond to second order recursive filters of the particulartypes referred to as low-shelf, high-shelf and parametric.

Once the graphic equalizer setting values have been classified to theone or more predetermined filter types, filter parameters for filters ofthe one or more predetermined filter types that are used to classify thegraphic equalizer setting values can be determined 104. Here, it isassumed that the number of filters of the one or more predeterminedfilter types being utilized to classify the graphic equalizer settingvalues is significantly less than the number of bands of the graphicequalizer. For example, if the representative graphic equalizer has 10bands, then the filters of the one or more predetermined filter typesbeing used to classify the graphic equalizer setting values wouldtypically be less than five. In certain implementations, given thatcomputation time and/or ability is limited, the total number of filterscan be limited or the number of filters of each of predetermined filtertypes can be limited. For example, the 10-band representative graphicequalizer might have to be approximated with not more than three filterschosen from of the predetermined filter types. Following thedetermination 104 of the filter parameters, the equalizercharacterization process 100 is complete and ends.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a filter selection process 200 according toone embodiment of the invention. The filter selection process 200 can beused to restrict the maximum number of filters of the predeterminedfilter types that are utilized to approximate the graphic equalizer.Accordingly, the filter selection process 200 can be performed followingthe equalizer characterization process 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. Forexample, if the equalizer characterization process 100 characterized thegraphic equalizer using a combination of four filters selected fromthree predetermined filter types, and if the maximum number of filtersto be utilized is three, then the filter selection process 200 wouldchoose three of the four filters.

The filter selection process 200 initially determines 202 whether amaximum filter count (maximum number of filters) has been exceeded. Themaximum filter count is a configurable setting in one embodiment of theinvention. The maximum filter count serves to limit the processing timeand/or computational burden associated with effectuating the equalizerimpact at the portable computing device (e.g., hand-held media player).When the decision 202 determines that the maximum filter count has beenexceeded, then a weighted value is assigned 204 to each of the filters(of the one or more predetermined filter types) being used to classifythe graphic equalizer setting values. The weighting values can beassigned 204 in a variety of different ways so as to impose some sort ofpriority to the filters being used to classify the graphic equalizersetting values. In one embodiment, these weighted values depend upon howmuch of an impact the particular predetermined filter type has on theresulting composite frequency response that is being approximated. Forexample, a filter of one of the predetermined filter types thatcorrelates to a greater portion of the composite frequency response ofthe graphic equalizer than another filter can be assigned a higherweighted value than that of the other filter. In another embodiment,different predetermined filter types can be assigned different weightedvalues.

After the weighted values have been assigned 204, the filter selectionprocess 200 selects 206 those of the filters (of the one or morepredetermined filter types) having the highest weighted values until themaximum filter count is reached. The remaining filters (if any) thatwere used in the classification, but not selected 206, are discarded andnot further utilized to approximate the graphic equalizer. Following theblock 206, as well as directly following the decision 202 when themaximum filter count is not exceeded, the filter selection process 200is complete and ends.

FIG. 3A is a flow diagram of an equalizer characterization process 300according to another embodiment of the invention. The equalizercharacterization process 300 represents a more detailed process forequalizer characterization than the equalizer characterization process100 illustrated in FIG. 1.

The equalizer characterization process 300 initially receives graphicequalizer values. Then, the equalizer characterization process 300attempts 304 to characterize the equalizer values as a shelf-typefilter. This characterization attempt 304 can attempt to characterizethe equalizer values as a low-shelf type filter and/or a high-shelf typefilter. In one implementation, an attempt to characterize the equalizervalues as low-shelf would start with the lowest frequency equalizervalue and work upward in frequency, whereas an attempt to characterizethe equalizer values as a high-shelf would start with the highestfrequency equalizer value and work downward in frequency.

A decision 306 then determines whether the attempt 304 to characterizehas been successful. When the decision 306 determines that the attempt304 to characterize has been successful, then the one or more associatedequalizer values which are being characterized are tagged 308. Followingthe block 308, as well as following the decision 306 when the attempt304 to characterize was unsuccessful, a decision 310 determines whetherthere are more equalizer values to be processed. When the decision 310determines that there are more equalizer values to be processed, theequalizer characterization process 300 attempts 312 to characterize theremaining equalizer values as a parametric type filter. For example, theattempt 312 to characterization process can attempt to characterizeequalizer values as any one or more of a plurality of different types ofparametric filters, such as parametric boost or a parametric cut

A decision 314 then determines whether the attempt 312 to characterizehas been successful. When the decision 314 determines that the attempt312 to characterize has been successful, then the associated equalizervalues that have been characterized are tagged 316. Following the block316, as well as following the decision 314 when the attempt 312 tocharacterize has been unsuccessful, a decision 318 determines whetherthere are more equalizer values to process. Here, those equalizer valuesthat have been already tagged need not be further processed.Furthermore, some of the equalizer values may not be characterized andthus be deemed irrelevant or less important. Hence, the decision 318need not repeatedly attempt to characterize remaining equalizer valuesthat have not yet been tagged.

In any case, when the decision 318 determines that there are moreequalizer values to be processed, the equalizer characterization process300 returns to repeat the block 312 and subsequent operations so thatthe remaining untagged equalizer values have some opportunity, thoughlimited, to be characterized. In this regard, the characterization ofthe equalizer values can include more than one parametric type filter inits characterization. In one implementation, the characterization of theequalizer values can make use of not more than one low-shelf typefilter, not more than one high-shelf type filter, and not more than nparametric type filters, where n is the number of bands of the graphicequalizer.

When the decision 318 determines that there are no more equalizer valuesto be processed or when the decision 310 determines that there are nomore equalizer values to be processed, then the equalizercharacterization process 300 is complete and ends.

FIG. 3B is a flow diagram of an alternative flow diagram for a portion350 of the equalizer characterization process 300 illustrated in FIG.3A. In this embodiment, the operations 304-308 of the equalizercharacterization process 300 illustrated in FIG. 3A are replaced byoperations 352-360 illustrated in FIG. 3B. The operations 352-360 areexplained as follows. A decision 352 determines whether there are moreequalizer values to be processed. When the decision 352 determines thatthere are more equalizer values to be processed, the equalizercharacterization process attempts 354 to characterize the equalizervalues as a shelf-type filter. A decision 356 then determines whetherthe attempt 354 to characterize was successful. When the decision 356determines that the attempt 354 to characterize was successful, then theone or more associated equalizer values being characterized are tagged358. Following the block 358, as well as following the decision 356 whenthe attempt 354 to characterize was unsuccessful, a decision 360determines whether there are other self type filters to be considered.For example, the equalizer characterization process can attempt tocharacterize equalizer values as a plurality of different types of shelffilters, such as low shelf boost, low shelf cut, high shelf boost orhigh shelf cut. When the decision 310 determines that there are moreshelf type filters to be considered, the equalizer characterizationprocess returns to repeat the decision 352 and subsequent operations sothat remaining (e.g., untagged) equalizer values can be again consideredfor another one of the types of shelf filters. When the decision 360determines that there are no more other types of shelf filters to beprocessed or when the decision 352 determines that there are no moreremaining equalizer values to be processed, portion 350 of the equalizercharacterization process is completed.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a filter order reduction state machine 400according to one embodiment of the invention. Each of the states of thestate machine are represented by a block in FIG. 4. The filter orderreduction state machine 400 can be considered to have four differentphases. In phase 1, a gain offset is extracted. In phase 2, graphicequalizer values are classified. In phase 3, filter parameters forfilters are estimated. In phase 4, the filters are prioritized.

The filter order reduction state machine 400 receives graphic equalizerparameters 402 and a maximum filter count 404 as inputs. The removeoffset block 406 receives the graphic equalizer parameters 402 and themaximum filter count 404. The remove offset block 406 removes anypositive or negative offsets from the equalizer values and stores suchoffsets for later use. This offset removal serves to produce normalizedgraphic equalizer values 408 that are supplied to a low-shelfclassification block 410. In the low-shelf classification block 410, thenormalized graphic equalizer values are examined to determine whether alow-shelf classification can be utilized to approximate at least aportion of its composite frequency response. The result of the low-shelfclassification block 410 is either that there are no matches 412 ormatches found 414. In the case in which matches are found, the matchinggraphic equalizer values are tagged as being classified.

Next, a high-shelf classification block 415 receives the no matches 412or the matches found 414 from the low-shelf classification block 410.The high-shelf classification block 415 examines the remaining graphicequalizer values to determine whether a high-shelf classification can beutilized to approximate at least a portion of its composite frequencyresponse. The result of the high-shelf classification is either nomatches 416 or matches found 418. In the case in which matches arefound, the matching graphic equalizer values are tagged as beingclassified.

A parametric classification block 420 then follows the high-shelfclassification block 415. The parametric classification block 420receives the no matches 416 and the matches found 418 from thehigh-shelf classification block 415. The parametric classification block420 attempts to classify the remaining graphic equalizer values ashaving a parametric frequency response. When the parametricclassification block 420 determines that an initial parametricclassification attempt was not successful in finding any matches, theparametric classification block 420 can repeat 422. On the other hand,when the parametric classification block 420 indicates that a match hasbeen found, the associated graphic equalizer values are tagged and thenthe parametric classification block 420 can be repeated 424.

After the parametric classification block 420 has attempted to classifyany remaining unclassified graphic equalizer values, compositeclassification information 426 is provided to a set low-shelf parametersblock 428 where the low-shelf parameters for the low-shelf filter usedin the classification, if any, are determined. Then, a set high-shelfparameters block 430 can determine the high-shelf parameters for thehigh-shelf filter, if any, used in the classification are determined.Next, a set parametric parameters block 432 operates to determine theparametric parameters for the zero to several parametric filters thatmay be used in the classification.

Thereafter, the various filter parameters 434 and a number of filtersfound 436 are supplied to a prioritize filters block 438. The prioritizefilters block 438 operates to prioritize the various filters used in theclassification and then select those filters having the highest priorityup to but not exceeding the maximum filter count. Of course, when thenumber of filters found is less than the maximum filter count, theprioritize filters block 438 need not reduce the number of filters usedin the classification. Finally, the prioritize filters block 438 outputsparametric equalizer parameters 440 that are used to approximate thecomposite frequency response of the graphic equalizer.

Graphic equalizers are used to shape audio frequency responses to auser's preference via a factory preset or by a user's manipulation ofindividual gain values. A graphic equalizer has N bands, each bandcorresponding typically to a second (2nd) order recursive filter. The2nd order recursive filter peaks or cuts depending on the gain setting,but has its frequency and width of the filter fixed. In one embodiment,the representation of the graphic equalizer that the invention operateson is a set of gain values and their corresponding frequencies. Anexample of such gain values and corresponding frequencies are:

FREQUENCY (Hertz) GAIN 32 0 64 0 125 0 250 0 500 −1.8 1000 −4 2000 −34000 2 8000 3.8 16000 3These individual band filter frequency responses and the resultingcomposite frequency response curve can be plotted. FIG. 5 illustratesexemplary plots of frequency responses for user gain values, individualband filter responses, and a composite frequency response.

In one embodiment, an objective is to minimize the number of 2nd orderrecursive filters needed to approximate the composite frequency responsewithout having to perform any expensive frequency response calculationsor highly problematic auto-regressive curve modeling.

A detailed equalizer characterization process according to oneembodiment of the invention is described below. The detailed equalizercharacterization process can be considered to be concerned with “justnoticeable differences” that are perceivable to the average listener.This flexibility provided by the “just noticeable differences” may beapproximated by simple thresholds or based on detailed perceptualmodels. The detailed equalizer characterization process can consist offour phases: (1) Removal and storage of any fixed gain offset; (2)Classification of filter type (namely, low-shelf, high-shelf orparametric); (3) Determination of parameters (e.g., filter's gain,center frequency and/or Q (normalized resonance); and (4) Prioritizationof filters. Each of these four phases is described in greater detailbelow in a pseudo-code fashion.

Phase 1: Extract Gain Offset

-   -   a. Search the graphic EQ gain vector for a positive gain offset.    -   b. If no positive gain offset is found, search for a negative        gain offset.    -   c. If gain offset is found, subtract it from all equalizer gains        and store the offset. The gain offset will be added back in        after the order reduction.

Phase 2: Classification

-   -   a. Search graphic EQ gain vector for low-shelf with boost.        -   i. Look for consecutive values with a decreasing trend            (within a tolerance band) starting with a gain greater than            JND dB.            -   1. Start at lowest frequency and compare consecutive                frequency bin gains.            -   2. If gains are within the JND tolerance band consider                this close enough for a match.            -   3. Classify frequency index (bin) as low-shelf boost and                continue to next bin.        -   ii. If a low shelf with boost pattern is found (2 or more            frequencies classified), increment filter count.    -   b. Search graphic EQ gain vector for low-shelf with cut        (mutually exclusive with low-shelf boost).        -   i. Look for consecutive values with an increasing trend            (within the JND tolerance band) starting with a gain less            than JND dB.            -   1. Start at lowest frequency and compare consecutive                frequency bin gains.            -   2. If gains are within a tolerance band consider this                close enough for a match.            -   3. Classify frequency index (bin) as low-shelf cut and                continue to next bin.        -   ii. If a low shelf with cut pattern is found (2 or more            frequencies classified), increment filter count.    -   c. Search graphic EQ gain vector for high-shelf with boost.        -   i. Same as low-shelf cases, except start at the highest            frequency and compare consecutive decreasing frequency bin            gains starting with a gain greater than JND dB.        -   ii. Ignore all bins already classified.    -   d. Search graphic EQ gain vector for high-shelf with cut        (mutually exclusive with high-shelf boost).        -   i. Same as high-shelf with boost, start with gain less than            JND dB.    -   e. Search graphic EQ gain vector for parametric with boost.        -   i. Look for local maximum in bins not classified as            low-shelf or high-shelf.            -   1. Start at lowest frequency and compare consecutive                frequency bin gains within the JND tolerance band.            -   2. When a local maximum is found (a low-high-low pattern                of N elements), classify frequency bin as parametric                with an index (as there may be more than one                parametric).            -   3. Step in both directions, classifying bins that are                decreasing within a tolerance band as part of this                parametric filter, assuming they have not already been                classified.            -   4. Repeat this search pattern until all frequency bins                have been analyzed.        -   ii. If a parametric with boost pattern is found, increment            filter count.    -   f. Search graphic EQ gain vector for parametric with cut.        -   i. Look for local minimum in bins not classified as            low-shelf, high-shelf or parametric with boost.            -   1. Start at lowest frequency and compare consecutive                frequency bin gains.            -   2. When a local minimum is found (a high-low-high                pattern of N elements), classify frequency bin as                parametric with an index (as there may be more than one                parametric).            -   3. Step in both directions, classifying bins that are                increasing within the JND tolerance band as part of this                parametric filter, assuming they have not already been                classified.            -   4. Repeat this search pattern until all frequency bins                have been analyzed.        -   ii. If a parametric with cut pattern is found, increment            filter count.

Phase 3: Estimate filter parameters

-   -   a. Filter gain        -   i. Shelf filters            -   1. Set the gain to the largest +/−dB gain out of the                frequencies classified as a shelf.        -   ii. Parametric            -   1. Set the gain equal to that of the interpolated center                frequency bin.        -   iii. Look for competing filters            -   1. If consecutive filters are close (frequency                parameters are within two octaves for example) and have                opposite sign gain parameters, add gain to each to                compensate.    -   b. Filter center frequency        -   i. Shelf filters            -   1. On the first pass, search for the frequency bin with                gain closest to half the shelf's total gain, known as                the mid-gain point.            -   2. If the gain is not changing more than JND dB 2 bins                beyond the mid-gain point and the shelf filter continues                this point, set the center frequency bin to 2 bins                beyond mid-gain point.            -   3. Otherwise, step back towards the mid-gain point                setting the center frequency bin when the gain does not                change more than JND dB.        -   ii. Parametric            -   1. Initially set the center frequency to the bin with                the largest gain value out of the frequencies in this                parametric set.            -   2. Look at its neighboring bins (even if they are                classified already as another filter type).                -   a. If one neighbor is close in gain to the gain at                    the current center frequency estimate, split the                    difference and set the center frequency in between                    the two and increase the gain by an amount                    proportional to the gain at the center frequency (½                    or ¼).    -   c. Filter Q        -   i. Shelf filters            -   1. Take the derivative of the graphic EQ gain vector                (calculate consecutive gain differences).            -   2. If the shelf filter consists of at least 3 bins:                -   a. If the ratio of the largest two values of the                    derivative is larger than a specified value or the                    largest value of the derivative is at least one-half                    as large as the shelf's gain, assign a higher Q to                    the shelf.                -   b. Otherwise, if the ratio of the largest 2 values                    is small and there are at least 4 bins in the shelf,                    assign a lower Q.            -   3. Otherwise, if the shelf filter consists of at least 2                bins:                -   a. If the derivative is at least above a specified                    tolerance, assign a higher Q to the shelf.        -   ii. Parametric            -   1. Average the bin gain values to the left and right of                the center bin (even if they are classified already as                another filter type). If the difference between the                center bin gain and the average is large, set the Q to a                proportionally high value (e.g., 8). If the differences                are small, set the Q to a proportionally low value                (e.g., 0.5).                -   a. The Q value may be set with a small table that                    maps the average bin values to a Q setting to avoid                    division.

Phase 4: Prioritization

-   -   a. Rank by sum of gain of bins matched.        -   i. Between equal gains, wider bandwidth wins.    -   b. Remove filters from list starting with lowest ranking until        target number of filters is reached.

FIGS. 5-7 are exemplary plots of frequency responses for differentequalizer settings. In one embodiment, an objective is to minimize thenumber of 2nd order recursive filters needed to approximate thecomposite frequency response without having to perform any expensivefrequency response calculations or highly problematic auto-regressivecurve modeling.

The advantages of the invention are numerous. Different aspects,embodiments or implementations may yield one or more of the followingadvantages.

One advantage of the invention is that an equalizer characterizationprocess can reduce the computational complexity of implementing agraphic equalizer without significantly changing its perceived effect tothe eventual user (e.g., listener) of media items.

For example, the equalizer characterization process can convert a10-band graphic equalizer to a single shelf filter. Since each filtertype requires the same number of operations, it would be about ten timesfaster to execute after conversion to a single shelf filter. FIG. 6illustrates exemplary plots of frequency responses for user gain values,a composite frequency response (i.e., desired curve), and anapproximated frequency response (i.e., approximated curve) based on thesingle shelf filter. Here, the single shelf filter is able to closelyapproximate the desired curve.

As another example, the equalizer characterization process can convert a10-band graphic equalizer to three filters, namely, one shelf filter andtwo parametric filters. Since each filter type requires the same numberof operations, it would be more than three times faster to execute afterconversion. FIG. 7 illustrates exemplary plots of frequency responsesfor user gain values, a composite frequency response (i.e., desiredcurve), and an approximated frequency response (i.e., approximatedcurve) based on the one shelf filter and two parametric filters. Here,the combination of the one shelf filter and two parametric filters isable to closely approximate the desired curve.

A portable computing device (e.g., hand-held media player) or otherembedded platform may not be able to run more than a few bands of a manyband equalizer. Hence, another advantage of the invention allows a highcomputational load equalizer to be represented and run on lowerperformance hardware. The reduced computational load also helps theportable computing device conserve power, which is particularlybeneficial for battery powered device.

For example, a low performance computing device (e.g., media player orother embedded device) can perform an equalizer characterization processat run time when a file is downloaded to the device or when loaded forplayback. Further, the equalizer characterization process can also beperformed in real-time so as to enable a user to dynamically alterequalizer settings during playback.

Still another advantage of the invention is that an equalizercharacterization process does not require any complex optimizationproblems to be solved. For example, implementations of the invention canavoid math intensive frequency response calculations. No curve-fittingoperations, which have unknown or hard to bound solution times, need beperformed. Auto-regressive models that are very difficult to optimizeare also avoided. The use of costly trigonometric functions (sin, cos,sinh) to determine filter coefficients can also be avoided. Hence, byavoiding complex optimization problems, computation time for theequalizer characterization process can be substantially faster,guaranteed to happen and bounded.

Yet still another advantage of the invention is that an equalizercharacterization process can be flexible. For example, any M-bandgraphic equalizer to be converted to an N-band parametric filterrepresentation, where N is less than M and determined by the targetcomplexity of the equalizer implementation.

Still yet another advantage of the invention is that an equalizercharacterization process can include the concept of tolerance bandsbased on human JND (just noticeable differences). This tolerance canserve to ignore or group gain changes that are not perceptuallydistinct, thereby saving additional computation resources that wouldotherwise be wasted.

In one implementation, the host computer can interact with the portablecomputing device. For example, the host computer can transfer mediaitems and associated equalizer information (e.g., equalizer values orone or more equalizer codes) to the portable computing device (e.g.,hand-held media player). The host computer can utilize an applicationresident on the host computer to perform the transfer of the media itemsand their attributes between the host computer and the portablecomputing device. One such application is iTunes, version 2.0, producedby Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a media management system 800 according toone embodiment of the invention. The media management system 800includes a host computer 802 and a media player 804. The host computer802 is typically a personal computer. The host computer, among otherconventional components, includes a management module 806 which is asoftware module. The management module 806 provides for centralizedmanagement of media items (and/or playlists) not only on the hostcomputer 802 but also on the media player 804. More particularly, themanagement module 806 manages those media items stored in a media store808 associated with the host computer 802. The management module 806also interacts with a media database 810 to store media informationassociated with the media items stored in the media store 808.

The media information pertains to characteristics or attributes of themedia items. For example, in the case of audio or audiovisual media, themedia information can include one or more of: title, album, track,artist, composer and genre. These types of media information arespecific to particular media items. In addition, the media informationcan pertain to quality characteristics of the media items. Examples ofquality characteristics of media items can include one or more of: bitrate, sample rate, equalization setting, volume adjustment, start/stopand total time.

Still further, the host computer 802 includes a play module 812. Theplay module 812 is a software module that can be utilized to playcertain media items stored in the media store 808. The play module 812can also display (on a display screen) or otherwise utilize mediainformation from the media database 810. Typically, the mediainformation of interest corresponds to the media items to be played bythe play module 812.

The host computer 802 also includes a communication module 814 thatcouples to a corresponding communication module 816 within the mediaplayer 804. A connection or link 818 removeably couples thecommunication modules 814 and 816. In one embodiment, the connection orlink 818 is a data bus, such as a FIREWIRE bus or a USB, which is wellknown in the art.

The media player 804 also includes a media store 820 that stores mediaitems within the media player 804. The media items being stored to themedia store 820 are typically received over the connection or link 818from the host computer 802. More particularly, the management module 806sends all or certain of those media items residing on the media store808 over the connection or link 818 to the media store 820 within themedia player 804. Additionally, the corresponding media information forthe media items that is also delivered to the media player 804 from thehost computer 802 can be stored in a media database 822. In this regard,certain media information from the media database 810 within the hostcomputer 802 can be sent to the media database 822 within the mediaplayer 804 over the connection or link 818. Still further, playlistsidentifying certain of the media items can also be sent by themanagement module 806 over the connection or link 818 to the media store820 or the media database 822 within the media player 804.

Furthermore, the media player 804 includes a play module 824 thatcouples to the media store 820 and the media database 822. The playmodule 824 is a software module that can be utilized to play certainmedia items stored in the media store 820. The play module 824 can alsodisplay (on a display screen) or otherwise utilize media informationfrom the media database 822. Typically, the media information ofinterest corresponds to the media items to be played by the play module824.

Hence, in one embodiment, the media player 804 has limited or nocapability to manage media items on the media player 804. However, themanagement module 806 within the host computer 802 can indirectly managethe media items residing on the media player 804. For example, to “add”a media item to the media player 804, the management module 806 servesto identify the media item to be added to the media player 804 from themedia store 808 and then causes the identified media item to bedelivered to the media player 804. As another example, to “delete” amedia item from the media player 804, the management module 806 servesto identify the media item to be deleted from the media store 808 andthen causes the identified media item to be deleted from the mediaplayer 804. As still another example, if changes (i.e., alterations) tocharacteristics of a media item were made at the host computer 802 usingthe management module 806, then such characteristics can also be carriedover to the corresponding media item on the media player 804. In oneimplementation, the additions, deletions and/or changes occur in abatch-like process during synchronization of the media items on themedia player 804 with the media items on the host computer 802.

In another embodiment, the media player 804 has limited or no capabilityto manage playlists on the media player 804. However, the managementmodule 806 within the host computer 802 through management of theplaylists residing on the host computer can indirectly manage theplaylists residing on the media player 804. In this regard, additions,deletions or changes to playlists can be performed on the host computer802 and then by carried over to the media player 804 when deliveredthereto.

As previously noted, synchronization is a form of media management. Theability to automatically initiate synchronization was also previouslydiscussed. Still further, however, the synchronization between devicescan be restricted so as to prevent automatic synchronization when thehost computer and media player do not recognize one another.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of media download processing 900 according toone embodiment of the invention. The media download processing 900 is,for example, processing performed by a media player. For example, themedia player can be the media player 804 illustrated in FIG. 8, or someother media player.

The media download processing 900 begins with a decision 902 thatdetermines whether new media data has been received. Here, the decision902 determines whether new media data is being received from a hostcomputer (personal computer). Typically, the new media data would bereceived at the media player when the host computer downloads media datafrom the host computer to the media player. When the decision 902determines that new media data has not been received, then the mediadownload processing 900 awaits such data.

Once the decision 902 determines that new media data has been received,the media data is stored to the media player. More specifically, themedia data being received can include one or both of media item data andmedia information data. The media information data pertains toattributes or characteristics of the corresponding media items. Themedia information can vary with application. In one implementation, themedia information includes at least descriptive attributes such as songtitle, album name and artist name. Further, the media information caninclude quality characteristics for the media items. Examples of suchquality characteristics include bit rate, sample rate, equalizationsetting, volume adjustment, start/stop and total time.

In any case, the new media data is processed by the media downloadprocessing 900 as follows. The media item data is stored 904 to a mediastore associated with the media player. The media item data pertains toone or more media items. Further, the media information data associatedwith the one or more media items is stored 906 to a media database. Themedia database is also associated with the media player. Following theoperation 906, the media download processing 900 is complete and ends.

Equalization settings pertain to amplitude settings for a plurality ofdifferent frequency bands, as is commonplace with an equalizer. Thesesettings can be set by a user or can be set from selection of one of aplurality of predetermined equalization settings. These equalizationsettings, whether predetermined or customized, enable the adjustment ofthe dynamic range of the player device to match the style of music oneis listening to. Further, the equalizer settings utilized on the hostcomputer side can be linked to corresponding equalizer settings on themedia player side. In one embodiment, each of the equalization settingsthat are stored within the media database can pertain to a single mediaitem. As an example, when the media items are songs or audio files, theequalization settings can be provided for each song or audio file. Moregenerally, there can be a one-to-one correspondence between qualitycharacteristics (e.g., equalization settings) and media items such that,when played, each media item would be played in accordance with its owncorresponding quality characteristics. Hence, the qualitycharacteristics can be provided on a media item by media item basis.

As previously noted, one quality characteristic of the media informationis equalization settings. In one embodiment, the host computer and/orthe media player provide predetermined equalization settings that areidentified by a descriptive name. Hence, a user can simply select one ofthe descriptive names to choose the associated equalizer settings. Table1 below provides examples of various equalization settings that arepredetermined and identified by descriptive names.

EQUALIZER PRESETS ACOUSTIC BASS BOOSTER BASS REDUCER CLASSICAL DANCEDEEP ELECTRONIC FLAT HIP HOP JAZZ LATIN LOUNGE PIANO POP R&B ROCK SMALLSPEAKERS SPOKEN WORD TREBLE BOOSTER TREBLE REDUCER VOCAL BOOSTER

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of media play processing 1000 according to oneembodiment of the invention. The media play processing 1000 is, forexample, performed by a media player, such as the media player 800illustrated in FIG. 8, or some other media player.

The media play processing 1000 begins with a decision 1002 thatdetermines whether a play request has been received. Here, a playrequest is typically initiated by a user of the media device. Hence,when the decision 1002 determines that a play request has not yet beenreceived, the media play processing 1000 awaits such a request. When thedecision 1002 determines that a play request has been received, themedia play processing 1000 then retrieves 1004 at least a portion of themedia information for the media item to be played. Here, the mediainformation can vary as to its purposes and thus only a portion of themedia information may be useful for playing the media item.

After the media information has been retrieved 1004, the media player isconfigured 1006 in accordance with one or more of the qualitycharacteristics of the media information. Here, to the extent that theone or more quality characteristics of the media information can be usedto configure the media player, the media player is so configured 1006.For example, in the case of equalization settings, the media player canbe configured to operate its internal amplifier in accordance with theequalization settings provided by the quality characteristics associatedwith the media item to be played.

Subsequently, the media item data is streamed 1008 to an output device.For example, the streaming 1008 can cause the media item data to beretrieved from a local media store and directed to an output device(e.g., speaker and/or display screen) of the media player. The streaming1008 of the media item data to the output device operates to produce amedia output (audio and/or video) that results by playing the mediaitem. Given that the media information is provided to the media playerby the host computer, the media information set or configured for mediaitems at the host computer is able to also be used in playing the mediaitems on the media player.

Next, a decision 1010 determines whether a quality characteristic haschanged. Typically, the decision 1010 can be activated when a userinteracts with a Graphical User Interface (GUI) associated with themedia player to manually change a quality characteristic for the mediaitem being played. For example, a user could interact with a GUI for themedia player to change the equalization settings. This could be on aper-media item or per-media player basis. Hence, when the decision 1010determines that a quality characteristic has been changed, the mediaplay processing 1000 can return to repeat the operation 1006 andsubsequent operations. At this point, the media player can bereconfigured in accordance with the updated quality characteristics andthen the media item can continue to thereafter be played in accordancewith the updated quality characteristics. Such an implementation allowsthe user of the media player to manually alter the qualitycharacteristics for the media player, overall or for a particular mediaitem. However, it should be noted that the ability of the user to makemanual changes to the quality characteristics can be restricted. Forexample, in one embodiment, quality characteristic settings provided bythe host computer can override manual user settings.

On the other hand, when the decision 1010 determines that the qualitycharacteristics have not changed, then a decision 1012 determineswhether the media play processing 1000 is completed. When the decision1012 determines that the media play processing 1000 has not completed,then the media play processing 1000 returns to repeat the operation 1008and subsequent operations. Alternatively, when the decision 1012determines that the media play processing 1000 has completed, then themedia play processing 1000 is complete and ends.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a media player 1100 according to oneembodiment of the invention. The media player 1100 includes a processor1102 that pertains to a microprocessor or controller for controlling theoverall operation of the media player 1100. The media player 1100 storesmedia data pertaining to media items in a file system 1104 and a cache1106. The file system 1104 is, typically, a storage disk or a pluralityof disks. The file system 1104 typically provides high capacity storagecapability for the media player 1100. However, since the access time tothe file system 1104 is relatively slow, the media player 1100 can alsoinclude a cache 1106. The cache 1106 is, for example, Random-AccessMemory (RAM) provided by semiconductor memory. The relative access timeto the cache 1106 is substantially shorter than for the file system1104. However, the cache 1106 does not have the large storage capacityof the file system 1104. Further, the file system 1104, when active,consumes more power than does the cache 1106. The power consumption isoften a concern when the media player 1100 is a portable media playerthat is powered by a battery (not shown). The media player 1100 alsoincludes a RAM 1120 and a Read-Only Memory (ROM) 1122. The ROM 1122 canstore programs, utilities or processes to be executed in a non-volatilemanner. The RAM 1120 provides volatile data storage, such as for thecache 1106.

The media player 1100 also includes a user input device 1108 that allowsa user of the media player 1100 to interact with the media player 1100.For example, the user input device 1108 can take a variety of forms,such as a button, keypad, dial, etc. Still further, the media player1100 includes a display 1110 (screen display) that can be controlled bythe processor 1102 to display information to the user. A data bus 1111can facilitate data transfer between at least the file system 1104, thecache 1106, the processor 1102, and the CODEC 1112.

In one embodiment, the media player 1100 serves to store a plurality ofmedia items (e.g., songs) in the file system 1104. When a user desiresto have the media player play a particular media item, a list ofavailable media items is displayed on the display 1110. Then, using theuser input device 1108, a user can select one of the available mediaitems. The processor 1102, upon receiving a selection of a particularmedia item, supplies the media data (e.g., audio file) for theparticular media item to a coder/decoder (CODEC) 1112. The CODEC 1112then produces analog output signals for a speaker 1114. The speaker 1114can be a speaker internal to the media player 1100 or external to themedia player 1100. For example, headphones or earphones that connect tothe media player 1100 would be considered an external speaker.

The media player 1100 also includes a bus interface 1116 that couples toa data link 1118. The data link 1118 allows the media player 1100 tocouple to a host computer.

Although the media items of emphasis in several of the above embodimentswere audio items (e.g., audio files or songs), the media items are notlimited to audio items. For example, the media item can alternativelypertain to videos (e.g., movies) or images (e.g., photos).

The various aspects, embodiments, implementations or features of theinvention can be used separately or in any combination.

The invention is preferably implemented by software, but can also beimplemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and software. Theinvention can also be embodied as computer readable code on a computerreadable medium. The computer readable medium is any data storage devicethat can store data which can thereafter be read by a computer system.Examples of the computer readable medium include read-only memory,random-access memory, CD-ROMs, DVDs, magnetic tape, optical data storagedevices, and carrier waves. The computer readable medium can also bedistributed over network-coupled computer systems so that the computerreadable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

The many features and advantages of the present invention are apparentfrom the written description and, thus, it is intended by the appendedclaims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention.Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur tothose skilled in the art, the invention should not be limited to theexact construction and operation as illustrated and described. Hence,all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to as fallingwithin the scope of the invention.

1. A method for approximating a composite frequency response of aplurality of filters, the method comprising: receiving graphicalequalizer setting values; extracting a gain value for each of thefrequency band levels; subtracting the gain value for each of thefrequency band levels from the total equalizer gains; and storing theextracted gain values.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:classifying the graphical equalizer setting values into a plurality offilters based upon frequency response shaped of predetermined filtertypes; estimating parameters of each of the plurality of filters;assigning a priority value to each of the plurality of filters basedupon the impact the corresponding filter has on the composite frequencyresponse being approximated; and discarding one or more of the filtershaving the lowest priority values.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein theclassifying includes: to determine whether a pattern of equalizersetting values should be classified as a low-shelf filter with boost:comparing consecutive frequency band gains with a decreasing trendstarting with the lowest frequency in the plurality of frequency bands;comparing differences in consecutive frequency bands with ajust-noticeable difference tolerance band to determine if a givenfrequency band matches the just-noticeable difference tolerance band;classifying each matching frequency band as a low-shelf boost frequencyband; and if two or more matching frequency bands are found, concludingthat a low-shelf filter with boost should be one of the plurality offilters.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the classifying includes: todetermine whether a pattern of equalizer setting values should beclassified as a low-shelf filter with cut: comparing consecutivefrequency band gains with an increasing trend starting with the lowestfrequency in the plurality of frequency bands; comparing differences inconsecutive frequency bands with a just-noticeable difference toleranceband to determine if a given frequency band matches the just-noticeabledifference tolerance band; classifying each matching frequency band as alow-shelf boost frequency band; and if two or more matching frequencybands are found, concluding that a low-shelf filter with cut should beone of the plurality of filters.
 5. The method of claim 2, wherein theclassifying includes: to determine whether a pattern of equalizersetting values should be classified as a high-shelf filter with boost:comparing consecutive frequency band gains with a decreasing trendstarting with the highest frequency in the plurality of frequency bands;comparing differences in consecutive frequency bands with ajust-noticeable difference tolerance band to determine if a givenfrequency band matches the just-noticeable difference tolerance band;classifying each matching frequency band as a low-shelf boost frequencyband; and if two or more matching frequency bands are found, concludingthat a high-shelf filter with boost should be one of the plurality offilters.
 6. The method of claim 2, wherein the classifying includes: todetermine whether a pattern of equalizer setting values should beclassified as a high-shelf filter with cut: comparing consecutivefrequency band gains with an increasing trend starting with the highestfrequency in the plurality of frequency bands; comparing differences inconsecutive frequency bands with a just-noticeable difference toleranceband to determine if a given frequency band matches the just-noticeabledifference tolerance band; classifying each matching frequency band as ahigh-shelf boost frequency band; and if two or more matching frequencybands are found, concluding that a high-shelf filter with cut should beone of the plurality of filters.
 7. The method of claim 2, wherein theclassifying includes: to determine whether a pattern of equalizersetting values should be classified as a parametric filter with boost:comparing consecutive frequency band gains with a decreasing trendstarting with the lowest frequency in the plurality of frequency bands;identifying a local maximum frequency band in a pattern of consecutivefrequency band gains with a decreasing trend, wherein a local maximumfrequency is a pattern where the frequency band is a high gain bandbetween two low gain bands; classifying the local maximum frequency bandas part of a parametric filter; and stepping in both directions from thelocal maximum frequency band, adding bands that are decreasing within atolerance band as part of the parametric filter.
 8. The method of claim2, wherein the classifying includes: to determine whether a pattern ofequalizer setting values should be classified as a parametric filterwith cut: comparing consecutive frequency band gains with an increasingtrend starting with the lowest frequency in the plurality of frequencybands; identifying a local minimum frequency band in a pattern ofconsecutive frequency band gains with an increasing trend, wherein alocal minimum frequency is a pattern where the frequency band is a lowgain band between two high gain bands; classifying the local minimumfrequency band as part of a parametric filter; and stepping in bothdirections from the local minimum frequency band, adding bands that areincreasing within a tolerance band as part of the parametric filter. 9.A graphic equalizer filter approximator, comprising: a graphicalequalizer setting values receiver, wherein graphical equalizer settingvalues are levels for each of a plurality of frequency bands associatedwith the graphical equalizer; and a processor configured to: classifythe graphical equalizer setting values into a plurality of filters basedupon frequency response shaped of predetermined filter types; estimateparameters of each of the plurality of filters; assign a priority valueto each of the plurality of filters based upon the impact thecorresponding filter has on the composite frequency response beingapproximated; and discard one or more of the filters having the lowestpriority values.
 10. The graphic equalizer filter approximator of claim9 wherein the estimating of parameters includes: setting the gain to thelargest gain out of frequency bands classified as a type of shelffilter.
 11. The graphic equalizer filter approximator of claim 9,wherein the estimating of parameters includes: setting the gain equal tothat of an interpolated center frequency band for a frequency bandclassified as a type of parametric filter.
 12. The graphic equalizerfilter approximator of claim 9, wherein the estimating of parametersincludes: if consecutive filters have frequency parameters within twooctaves and have opposite sign gain parameters, adding gain to eachfilter to compensate.
 13. The graphic equalizer filter approximator ofclaim 9, wherein the estimating of parameters includes: setting a centerfrequency by, for a shelf filter: identifying a frequency band with gainclosest to half of the shelf's total gain; if the gain is not changingmore than a just noticeable difference 2 bands beyond the identifiedfrequency band, setting the center frequency to 2 bands beyond theidentified frequency band, otherwise, setting the center frequency tothe identified frequency band.
 14. The graphic equalizer filterapproximator of claim 9, wherein the estimating of parameters includes:setting a center frequency by, for a parametric filter: initiallysetting the center frequency to the frequency band with the largest gainvalue out of the frequencies in the parametric filter; and if oneneighboring frequency band is close in gain to the gain at the currentcenter frequency, splitting the difference by setting the centerfrequency in between the two and increasing the gain by an amountproportional to the gain at the center frequency.
 15. A portable mediadevice comprising: a communications module equalizer setting informationfrom a host computer; a data store for storing the received media itemand the associated equalizer setting information received from the hostcomputer; and a processor operatively connected to the data store,wherein the processor operates to acquire equalizer setting values basedon the equalizer setting information, to approximate the equalizersetting values with a reduced filter order approximation, and to presentthe media item in accordance with the reduced filter orderapproximation, wherein the processor approximates the equalizer settingvalues with a reduced filter order approximation by: identifying morethan m filter patterns in a composite frequency response shaperepresenting the equalizer setting values, each filter patterncorresponding to a predetermined filter type from a set of filter types;creating a plurality of identified filters by identifying a filter ofthe predetermined filter type for each of the more than m identifiedfilter patterns; determining parameters for each identified filter suchthat the plurality of identified filters approximates the compositefrequency response shape representing the equalizer setting values;assigning a weighting value to each of the plurality of identifiedfilters, wherein each weighting value is assigned based upon how much ofan impact the corresponding filter has on the composite frequencyresponse shape; and limiting the number of the plurality of identifiedfilters by selecting the m filters having the highest weighting values.16. The portable media device of claim 15, further comprising acoder/decoder (CODEC) to receive the presentation of a media item inaccordance with the reduced filter order approximation and to generatean analog output signal representing the media item in accordance withthe reduced filter order approximation.
 17. The portable media device ofclaim 15, further comprising a speaker coupled to the CODEC, wherein thespeaker converts the analog output signal to sound, wherein the sound issubstantially similar to sound produced when the media item is played onthe host computer in accordance with the equalizer informationassociated with the media item.
 18. The portable media device of claim15, wherein the equalizer setting information associated with the mediaitem received from the host computer is configured to be used by a hostcomputer to present the media item, the equalizer setting informationbeing related to a graphic equalizer requiring greater computationalresources than available from the processor of the portable media devicefor the purpose of implementing a graphic equalizer on the portabledevice.
 19. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon datarepresenting instructions that, when executed by the processor of aportable device capable of playing media items, cause the processor toperform operations comprising: receiving graphical equalizer settingvalues, wherein the graphical equalizer setting values are levels foreach of a plurality of frequency bands associated with a graphicalequalizer; classifying the graphical equalizer setting values into aplurality of filters based upon frequency response shaped ofpredetermined filter types; estimating parameters of each of theplurality of filters; assigning a priority value to each of theplurality of filters based upon the impact the corresponding filter hason the composite frequency response being approximated; and discardingone or more of the filters having the lowest priority values.
 20. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the method furthercomprises playing a media item using the m identified filters.
 21. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the method furthercomprises determining that the n-band graphic equalizer setting valuesassociated with a media item have changed.